CA1189761A - Low head hydropower generating apparatus - Google Patents
Low head hydropower generating apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- CA1189761A CA1189761A CA000425455A CA425455A CA1189761A CA 1189761 A CA1189761 A CA 1189761A CA 000425455 A CA000425455 A CA 000425455A CA 425455 A CA425455 A CA 425455A CA 1189761 A CA1189761 A CA 1189761A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- conduit
- marine thruster
- gearbox
- low head
- marine
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/20—Hydro energy
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/16—Mechanical energy storage, e.g. flywheels or pressurised fluids
Abstract
LOW HEAD HYDROPOWER GENERATING APPARATUS
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
A low head hydropower generating apparatus is provided which includes a conduit arranged to conduct predetermined flow of water or other liquid from a region of a higher hydraulic head to a region of a lower hydraulic head, and a turbine assembly disposed in the conduit to be driven by water flowing through the conduit which turbine's output shaft drives either a generator for producing electrical power or any other mechanical device. The turbine assembly is comprised of a marine thruster designed to move water for use in propelling marine vessels, but in this apparatus the thruster is arranged to be driven by the water flowing through the conduit.
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
A low head hydropower generating apparatus is provided which includes a conduit arranged to conduct predetermined flow of water or other liquid from a region of a higher hydraulic head to a region of a lower hydraulic head, and a turbine assembly disposed in the conduit to be driven by water flowing through the conduit which turbine's output shaft drives either a generator for producing electrical power or any other mechanical device. The turbine assembly is comprised of a marine thruster designed to move water for use in propelling marine vessels, but in this apparatus the thruster is arranged to be driven by the water flowing through the conduit.
Description
'6:~
LOW HEAD HYDROPOWER GENERATI_G APPARAI'US
_BACKGROUND OF THE_INVENTION
This invention relates generally to hydro-power generating stations, and more particularly, to hydropower generating stations intended to operate on relatively low hydraulic heads, on the order of three meters or less~
Although there are significant numbers of potential hydropower sites available with effective heads of three meters or less, the development of these sites has been severely limited. This has not been due to the absence of equipment capable of producing power at such sites~ Rather, it is due to the absence of equipment that can produce hydropower at such a site in a cost-effective and reliable manner as compared to larger conventional power plant de-sign.
For example~ United States Patent No.
LOW HEAD HYDROPOWER GENERATI_G APPARAI'US
_BACKGROUND OF THE_INVENTION
This invention relates generally to hydro-power generating stations, and more particularly, to hydropower generating stations intended to operate on relatively low hydraulic heads, on the order of three meters or less~
Although there are significant numbers of potential hydropower sites available with effective heads of three meters or less, the development of these sites has been severely limited. This has not been due to the absence of equipment capable of producing power at such sites~ Rather, it is due to the absence of equipment that can produce hydropower at such a site in a cost-effective and reliable manner as compared to larger conventional power plant de-sign.
For example~ United States Patent No.
2,783,39~ to Corbiere discloses a device intended for such use, as does United States Patent No. 4,289,971 to Ueda~ The patent to Corbiere discloses a side intake turbo-generator disposed in a siphon-type arrangementr and the patent to Ueda discloses a con-ventional bulb-type turbine generator.
Both of these devices require the generator to be immersed in the flow of water used to provide power, and both include a turbine which turns on the same shaft as the generator. This arrangement gives rise to substantial problems in providing perfect seals to keep water out of the generator and further requiring that each unit be custom designed for a given site to provide a turbine which will rotate at the optimum rotational speed for the generator.
Accordingly, there has existed a need for a low head hydropower generating device which is inex-pensive to install, is trouble free and reliable in use, and which attains these advantageous results without requiring that a custom designed unit be developed for each location to which it is to be applied. As will become apparent from the following, the present invention satisfies that need~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENT:[ON
The present invention resides in a new and improved hydropower generating device which is par ticularly suited to low head app~lications, and which includes a conventional marine thruster adapted to be driven as a hydro turbine by water or other liquid, such as treated efluents, industrial discharges~ and the like, flowing through a conduit. The conduit is adapted and fabricated to control the Elow volume and velocity required to operate the thruster as a turbine. More significantly, the power generating device of the present invention is relatively inex-pensive to manufacture and install, is trouble ree and reliable in use, and can be adapted for use in a variety of different low head si.te applications.
More specifically, the hydropower gener-ating device of the present inve~tion includes a conduit through which the liquid flows from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head, and the marine thruster, which i~ of the type normally used to propel marine vessels, is arranged in the conduit to be driven by the liquid flowing through the conduit. The mechanical output of ~; <~ \ ~
97i~
the thruster is connected directly to a machine or drives a generator for converting the mechanical power to electrical power outputO Wherever necessary, the mechanical output of the thruster is connected to the generator~ or other machine, through a trans-mission, thereby permitting the thruster to operate at a speed determined by the flow rate through the conduit and permitting the generator or machine to be driven at its optimum operating speed, which may be different from the speed of the thruster.
As required by the site conditions, the hydropower generating device of the present invention can be adapted for use in a number of different types of low head site arrangements. That is, the conduit which directs liquid across the thruster can receive the liquid through an opening in a retaining structure substantially below the level of liquid retained by the structure, and can conduct the liquid in a gener-ally horizontal direction to the region of the second, lower hydraulic head. Alternatively, the conduit can receive the liquid through a structure at a level only slightly below the level of the liquid retained by the structure and direct the liquid through a 90 degree turn vertically downwardly across the thruster to the region of lower hydraulic head. In still another embodiment, the conduit can draw liquid over the top of a structure by siphon action and direct the liquid across the thruster before discharging the liquid to the region of lower hydraulic head. In the second above-mentioned arrangement, guide vanes may be used in the conduit to facilitate directing the liquid downwardly across the thruster.
'76~
~, Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TllE DRAWINGS
FIGo 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a low head hydraulic power generating device embodying the present invention, and illu-strated as installed at a typical low head power generating site;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a marine thruster turbine employed in the power gener-ating device of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating the marine thruster as mounted in the conduit of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
and FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in the exemplary drawingst the present invention is embodied in a hydropower gener-ating device primarily intended for use at a site designed to generate power from a relatively low hydraulic head, on the order of three meters or less.
An example of such a site is illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the hydropower generating device is identified generally by reference numeral 10.
Generally, the site includes a body of liquid 12 retained by a structure 14, which structure includes an opening (not shown in FIG. 1), below the level of the liquid retained by the structure~ through which liquid flows to a downstream region 16 having a lower hydraulic head than the liquid retained by the structure. A conduit 18 is secured over the opening of the structure and conducts the liquid from the structure to the region 16 of lower hydraulic head7 To withdraw energy from the liquid flowing through the conduit 18, a turbine assembly, indicated generally at 20, is mounted in the conduit 18 to be driven by liquid flowing through the conduit, and the turbine assembly provides mechanical power at the output shaft for direct application, or to drive a generator 22 which converts the mechanical power to the desired electrical p~wer output from the generating device 10 .
In accordance with the present invention, the turbine assembly 20 is comprised of a standard marine thruster 24 (FIG. 3) of the type normally designed to be powered by an engine or electric ,, motor and move liquid for the purpose of propelling a marine vessel. In this application, however, the marine thruster 24 is mounted in the conduit 18 and is driven by the liquid flowing through the conduit.
Further, the thruster may be connected to the electric generator 22 or mechanical device by a transmission 26. With this arrangement~ the generator 22 is not immersed in the flow of liquid which drives the turbine, and both the thruster 24 and the generator 22 can be arranged to operate at their optimum operating speeds, even though those speeds may differ. More-over, the power generating device of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, is trouble free and reliable in use, and can be adapted for use in several different low head site arrangements~
The thruster 24 generally includes its own cylindrical housing 28, a propeller or turbine blade 30, a right-angle gearbox 32~ and an output shaft 34.
Marine thrusters, which are variously referred to as tunnel thrusters, bow thrusters, and maneuvering thrusters, are commercially available in a wide assortment of sizes. Maximum power ratings and standard operating speeds Eor these various sizes are easily obtainable from the thruster manufacturers.
From the foregoing information, a standard thruster 24 which most closely matches the calculated power available at a particular low head side can be se lected and purchased for installation in the power generating device 10.
Having selected the proper thruster 24, a gener-ator 22 can be selected to generate electrical power commensurate with the hydro-power available~ Since the optimum operating speed of the generator 22 may not be the same as the rotational speed of the output shaft 34 of the thruster, the transmission 26 can be employed to connect the output shaft 34 of the thruster to the generator 22. Although a gearbox type transmission can be used, it has been found that a belt drive type transmission performs satisfactorily.
Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodi-ment of the present invent-on is illustrated in which the conduit 18a takes the form of a siphon tube receiving liquid from a point near the surface of the liquid retained by the structure 14a, and conducting the liquid over the top of the structure, through the tube 18a~ across the turbine assembly 20a, and dis-charging the liquid at a region 16a of lower hydraulic head~
Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, an opening 36 is formed through the structure 14b at a level slightly below the surface of the liquid retained by the structure, and the conduit 18b includes a right-angle turn 38 directing the liguid vertically downwardly across the turbine assembly 20b before the liquid is discharged to the region lbb of lower hydraulic head. If desired, a series of guide vanes 40 can be provided in the right-angle turn 38 of the conduit 18b to facilitate directing the liquid across the turbine assembly 20b.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the hydropower generating device 10 of the present invention provides a cost-effective and reliable means for tapping an important and here-~ 3 ~6 tofore undeveloped energy resource, the low headhydropvwer site. This is accomplished by applying a relatively inexpensive standard marine thruster to an environment which previously required expensive custom made turbines, and in effect, running the thruster backwards to drive a generator located oukside of the flow of liquid~ By employing this invention, it has been found that an efficient and reliable hydropower device based on marine thrusters can be produced and installed at a cost from one-third to one-tenth the price of more conventional hydropower equipment. Moreover, since the thruster 24 is designed to operate in the saline and debris-cluttered environ-ment of a ship harbor, its application to a fresh water stream results in highly reliable operation.
While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described~ it will also be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Both of these devices require the generator to be immersed in the flow of water used to provide power, and both include a turbine which turns on the same shaft as the generator. This arrangement gives rise to substantial problems in providing perfect seals to keep water out of the generator and further requiring that each unit be custom designed for a given site to provide a turbine which will rotate at the optimum rotational speed for the generator.
Accordingly, there has existed a need for a low head hydropower generating device which is inex-pensive to install, is trouble free and reliable in use, and which attains these advantageous results without requiring that a custom designed unit be developed for each location to which it is to be applied. As will become apparent from the following, the present invention satisfies that need~
SUMMARY OF THE INVENT:[ON
The present invention resides in a new and improved hydropower generating device which is par ticularly suited to low head app~lications, and which includes a conventional marine thruster adapted to be driven as a hydro turbine by water or other liquid, such as treated efluents, industrial discharges~ and the like, flowing through a conduit. The conduit is adapted and fabricated to control the Elow volume and velocity required to operate the thruster as a turbine. More significantly, the power generating device of the present invention is relatively inex-pensive to manufacture and install, is trouble ree and reliable in use, and can be adapted for use in a variety of different low head si.te applications.
More specifically, the hydropower gener-ating device of the present inve~tion includes a conduit through which the liquid flows from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head, and the marine thruster, which i~ of the type normally used to propel marine vessels, is arranged in the conduit to be driven by the liquid flowing through the conduit. The mechanical output of ~; <~ \ ~
97i~
the thruster is connected directly to a machine or drives a generator for converting the mechanical power to electrical power outputO Wherever necessary, the mechanical output of the thruster is connected to the generator~ or other machine, through a trans-mission, thereby permitting the thruster to operate at a speed determined by the flow rate through the conduit and permitting the generator or machine to be driven at its optimum operating speed, which may be different from the speed of the thruster.
As required by the site conditions, the hydropower generating device of the present invention can be adapted for use in a number of different types of low head site arrangements. That is, the conduit which directs liquid across the thruster can receive the liquid through an opening in a retaining structure substantially below the level of liquid retained by the structure, and can conduct the liquid in a gener-ally horizontal direction to the region of the second, lower hydraulic head. Alternatively, the conduit can receive the liquid through a structure at a level only slightly below the level of the liquid retained by the structure and direct the liquid through a 90 degree turn vertically downwardly across the thruster to the region of lower hydraulic head. In still another embodiment, the conduit can draw liquid over the top of a structure by siphon action and direct the liquid across the thruster before discharging the liquid to the region of lower hydraulic head. In the second above-mentioned arrangement, guide vanes may be used in the conduit to facilitate directing the liquid downwardly across the thruster.
'76~
~, Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TllE DRAWINGS
FIGo 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a low head hydraulic power generating device embodying the present invention, and illu-strated as installed at a typical low head power generating site;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a marine thruster turbine employed in the power gener-ating device of FIG. l;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view, partly in section, illustrating the marine thruster as mounted in the conduit of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention;
and FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic elevational view of another alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
As shown in the exemplary drawingst the present invention is embodied in a hydropower gener-ating device primarily intended for use at a site designed to generate power from a relatively low hydraulic head, on the order of three meters or less.
An example of such a site is illustrated in FIG. 1 in which the hydropower generating device is identified generally by reference numeral 10.
Generally, the site includes a body of liquid 12 retained by a structure 14, which structure includes an opening (not shown in FIG. 1), below the level of the liquid retained by the structure~ through which liquid flows to a downstream region 16 having a lower hydraulic head than the liquid retained by the structure. A conduit 18 is secured over the opening of the structure and conducts the liquid from the structure to the region 16 of lower hydraulic head7 To withdraw energy from the liquid flowing through the conduit 18, a turbine assembly, indicated generally at 20, is mounted in the conduit 18 to be driven by liquid flowing through the conduit, and the turbine assembly provides mechanical power at the output shaft for direct application, or to drive a generator 22 which converts the mechanical power to the desired electrical p~wer output from the generating device 10 .
In accordance with the present invention, the turbine assembly 20 is comprised of a standard marine thruster 24 (FIG. 3) of the type normally designed to be powered by an engine or electric ,, motor and move liquid for the purpose of propelling a marine vessel. In this application, however, the marine thruster 24 is mounted in the conduit 18 and is driven by the liquid flowing through the conduit.
Further, the thruster may be connected to the electric generator 22 or mechanical device by a transmission 26. With this arrangement~ the generator 22 is not immersed in the flow of liquid which drives the turbine, and both the thruster 24 and the generator 22 can be arranged to operate at their optimum operating speeds, even though those speeds may differ. More-over, the power generating device of the present invention is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and install, is trouble free and reliable in use, and can be adapted for use in several different low head site arrangements~
The thruster 24 generally includes its own cylindrical housing 28, a propeller or turbine blade 30, a right-angle gearbox 32~ and an output shaft 34.
Marine thrusters, which are variously referred to as tunnel thrusters, bow thrusters, and maneuvering thrusters, are commercially available in a wide assortment of sizes. Maximum power ratings and standard operating speeds Eor these various sizes are easily obtainable from the thruster manufacturers.
From the foregoing information, a standard thruster 24 which most closely matches the calculated power available at a particular low head side can be se lected and purchased for installation in the power generating device 10.
Having selected the proper thruster 24, a gener-ator 22 can be selected to generate electrical power commensurate with the hydro-power available~ Since the optimum operating speed of the generator 22 may not be the same as the rotational speed of the output shaft 34 of the thruster, the transmission 26 can be employed to connect the output shaft 34 of the thruster to the generator 22. Although a gearbox type transmission can be used, it has been found that a belt drive type transmission performs satisfactorily.
Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodi-ment of the present invent-on is illustrated in which the conduit 18a takes the form of a siphon tube receiving liquid from a point near the surface of the liquid retained by the structure 14a, and conducting the liquid over the top of the structure, through the tube 18a~ across the turbine assembly 20a, and dis-charging the liquid at a region 16a of lower hydraulic head~
Another alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated diagrammatically in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, an opening 36 is formed through the structure 14b at a level slightly below the surface of the liquid retained by the structure, and the conduit 18b includes a right-angle turn 38 directing the liguid vertically downwardly across the turbine assembly 20b before the liquid is discharged to the region lbb of lower hydraulic head. If desired, a series of guide vanes 40 can be provided in the right-angle turn 38 of the conduit 18b to facilitate directing the liquid across the turbine assembly 20b.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that the hydropower generating device 10 of the present invention provides a cost-effective and reliable means for tapping an important and here-~ 3 ~6 tofore undeveloped energy resource, the low headhydropvwer site. This is accomplished by applying a relatively inexpensive standard marine thruster to an environment which previously required expensive custom made turbines, and in effect, running the thruster backwards to drive a generator located oukside of the flow of liquid~ By employing this invention, it has been found that an efficient and reliable hydropower device based on marine thrusters can be produced and installed at a cost from one-third to one-tenth the price of more conventional hydropower equipment. Moreover, since the thruster 24 is designed to operate in the saline and debris-cluttered environ-ment of a ship harbor, its application to a fresh water stream results in highly reliable operation.
While several particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and described~ it will also be apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (15)
1. A low head hydropower generating system, comprising:
a conduit for conducting liquid from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head;
a marine thruster assembly unit mounted along the length of said conduit for passage of the liquid flowing through said conduit;
said marine thruster assembly unit including a substantially enclosed and generally right angle gearbox, means for supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said conduit, a marine thruster rotatably carried by said gearbox in a position within said conduit for rotatable driving of said marine thruster in response to the liquid flowing through said conduit, and an output shaft coupled to said gearbox and extending therefrom generally at a right angle to the rotational axis of said marine thruster to a position outside said conduit, said output shaft being rotabably driven by said marine thruster through said gearbox upon rotation of said marine thruster; and mechanical power receiving means outside said conduit and coupled to said output shaft at a position outside said conduit for rotatable driving in response to rotation of said marine thruster.
a conduit for conducting liquid from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head;
a marine thruster assembly unit mounted along the length of said conduit for passage of the liquid flowing through said conduit;
said marine thruster assembly unit including a substantially enclosed and generally right angle gearbox, means for supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said conduit, a marine thruster rotatably carried by said gearbox in a position within said conduit for rotatable driving of said marine thruster in response to the liquid flowing through said conduit, and an output shaft coupled to said gearbox and extending therefrom generally at a right angle to the rotational axis of said marine thruster to a position outside said conduit, said output shaft being rotabably driven by said marine thruster through said gearbox upon rotation of said marine thruster; and mechanical power receiving means outside said conduit and coupled to said output shaft at a position outside said conduit for rotatable driving in response to rotation of said marine thruster.
2. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1 wherein said mechanical power receiving means comprises a transmission coupled to said output shaft outside said conduit.
3. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 2, wherein said mechanical power receiving means further includes an electrical generator rotatably coupled to and driven by said transmission.
4. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1, wherein said mechanical power receiving means comprises a transmission coupled to said output shaft outside said conduit, and an electrical generator rotatably coupled to and driven by said transmission.
5. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 2, wherein said transmission comprises a belt drive type transmission.
6. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1, wherein said marine thruster assembly unit comprises a preassembled unit installed along the length of said conduit.
7. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1, wherein said marine thruster assembly unit further includes a cylindrical housing, said support means supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing being installed generally in-line along the length of said conduit.--
8. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 7, wherein said marine thruster assembly unit comprises a preassembled unit installed along the length of said conduit, said marine thruster assembly unit being of a type designed for use in propelling marine vessels.
9. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1 wherein said output shaft extends from said gearbox through said support means to a position outside said conduit.
10. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1 further including a structure for maintaining the pressure difference between said first and second hydraulic heads.
11. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1 further including means for substantially fully immersing said marine thruster within the liquid flowing through said conduit.
12. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 1 wherein said conduit has an upstream end opening into a body of the liquid below the surface of the liquid.
13. A low head hydropower generating system, comprising:
a conduit for conducting liquid from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head;
a marine thruster assembly unit mounted along the length of said conduit for passage of the liquid flowing through said conduit, said marine thruster assembly unit including a substantially enclosed and generally right angle gearbox, means for supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said conduit, a marine thruster rotatably carried by said gearbox in a position within said conduit for rotatable driving of said marine thruster in response to the liquid flowing through said conduit, and an output shaft coupled to said gearbox and extending therefrom generally at a right angle to the rotational axis of said marine thruster to a position outside said conduit, said output shaft being rotabably driven by said marine thruster through said gearbox upon rotation or said marine thruster; and mechanical power receiving means outside said conduit and including a transmission coupled to said output shaft outside said conduit and an electrical generator rotatably coupled to and driven by said transmission.
a conduit for conducting liquid from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head;
a marine thruster assembly unit mounted along the length of said conduit for passage of the liquid flowing through said conduit, said marine thruster assembly unit including a substantially enclosed and generally right angle gearbox, means for supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said conduit, a marine thruster rotatably carried by said gearbox in a position within said conduit for rotatable driving of said marine thruster in response to the liquid flowing through said conduit, and an output shaft coupled to said gearbox and extending therefrom generally at a right angle to the rotational axis of said marine thruster to a position outside said conduit, said output shaft being rotabably driven by said marine thruster through said gearbox upon rotation or said marine thruster; and mechanical power receiving means outside said conduit and including a transmission coupled to said output shaft outside said conduit and an electrical generator rotatably coupled to and driven by said transmission.
14. The low head hydropower generating system of claim 13 wherein said marine thruster assembly unit further includes a cylindrical housing, said support means supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said cylindrical housing, said cylindrical housing being installed generally in-line along the length of said conduit.
15. A low head hydropower generating system, comprising:
a conduit for conducting liquid from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head;
a marine thruster assembly unit mounted along the length of said conduit for passage of the liquid flowing through said conduit;
said marine thruster assembly unit comprising a preassembled unit including a cylindrical housing mounted in-line along the length of said conduit, a substantially enclosed and generally right angle gearbox, means for supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said housing, a marine thruster rotatably carried by said gearbox in a position within said housing for rotatable driving of said marine thruster in response to the liquid flowing through said conduit, and an output shaft coupled to said gearbox and extending therefrom generally at a right angle to the rotational axis of said marine thruster to a position outside said housing, said output shaft being rotabably driven by said marine thruster through said gearbox upon rotation of said marine thruster; and mechanical power receiving means outside said conduit and coupled to said output shaft at a position outside said conduit for rotatable driving in response to rotation of said marine thruster, said mechanical power receiving means including a transmission coupled to said output shaft outside said conduit, and an electrical generator rotatably coupled to and driven by said transmission.
a conduit for conducting liquid from a region of a first hydraulic head to a region of a second, lower hydraulic head;
a marine thruster assembly unit mounted along the length of said conduit for passage of the liquid flowing through said conduit;
said marine thruster assembly unit comprising a preassembled unit including a cylindrical housing mounted in-line along the length of said conduit, a substantially enclosed and generally right angle gearbox, means for supporting said gearbox generally centrally within said housing, a marine thruster rotatably carried by said gearbox in a position within said housing for rotatable driving of said marine thruster in response to the liquid flowing through said conduit, and an output shaft coupled to said gearbox and extending therefrom generally at a right angle to the rotational axis of said marine thruster to a position outside said housing, said output shaft being rotabably driven by said marine thruster through said gearbox upon rotation of said marine thruster; and mechanical power receiving means outside said conduit and coupled to said output shaft at a position outside said conduit for rotatable driving in response to rotation of said marine thruster, said mechanical power receiving means including a transmission coupled to said output shaft outside said conduit, and an electrical generator rotatably coupled to and driven by said transmission.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US39064882A | 1982-06-21 | 1982-06-21 | |
| US390,648 | 1982-06-21 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1189761A true CA1189761A (en) | 1985-07-02 |
Family
ID=23543360
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000425455A Expired CA1189761A (en) | 1982-06-21 | 1983-04-08 | Low head hydropower generating apparatus |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1189761A (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1997021922A1 (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-19 | Gavril Pavel Curtui | Total electric water system |
-
1983
- 1983-04-08 CA CA000425455A patent/CA1189761A/en not_active Expired
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1997021922A1 (en) * | 1995-12-08 | 1997-06-19 | Gavril Pavel Curtui | Total electric water system |
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